🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"